Shiku’s presence of mind and quick action saved Binod’s life. The 26-year-old survived the attack but sustained multiple injuries on his hand and thigh. He is now getting treated at a government hospital in Rajnagar.
12-year-old Shiku, from a far-flung village in Odisha’s Kendrapara district, has been hailed as a local hero.
In the face of danger, he risked his own life to snatch his uncle from the jaws of death.
On Tuesday, 26-year-old Binod Mallick, a fisherman from Kandira village, along with his nephew Shiku, entered a creek.
They were caught off guard when a crocodile leapt from the water and attacked Binod.
“I tried to distract the crocodile with torchlight and hit it with a bamboo stick on its head. It soon unfastened its grip on my uncle and beat a hasty retreat,” Shiku told the Times of India.
Shiku’s presence of mind and quick action saved Binod’s life. The 26-year-old survived the attack but sustained multiple injuries on his hand and thigh. He is now getting treated at a government hospital in Rajnagar.
“Shiku showed his presence of mind and drove the reptile away,” Binod told TOI, lauding Shiku’s bravery.
Binod’s treatment will be funded by the state forest department Divisional Forest Officer, Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) forest division, Bimal Prasanna Acharya told the publication.
It will award compensation to Binod’s family.
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The authorities even drew attention to the fact that incidents of villagers entering crocodile-infested creeks and rivulets, risking their lives was on the rise.
To increase awareness and curb the incidents of crocodile attacks, the forest department has identified over 24 riverside spots as danger zones due to the frequent sighting of the reptiles and warned locals from entering them.
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